Type-cleaning device for type-writing machines.



No. 692,954. Pat ented Feb. I902.

v J. A. wumma. TYPE CLEANING DEVICE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Oct. 25, 1901.)

3 Sh9atsSheet I.

(No Model.

WITN E5555 Jww No. 692,954. v 'Patentedfebfll, I902;

J. A. WHITING.

TYPE CLEANING DEVICE'FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Oct. -2a, 1901. (No Model.) V 3 Shats-Sheet 2.

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J. A. WHITING.

TYRE CLEANING DEVICE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Oc t. 25, 1901.)

(No ModeI.)

, \A/ITFIEEEES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. \VIIITING, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TYPE-CLEANING DEVICE FORTYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent N 0. 692,954, dated February11, 1902. Application filed October 25, 1901. Serial No. 79,932. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that LJAMES A. \VHITING,L citizenof the UnitedStates,residing in Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State'ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type-Cleaning Devices for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention is especially adapted for application to the type-writingmachine known as the Remington type-writer, and more particularly toModels 6, 7, and 8. The de-' vice,however, may be used in connectionwith any kindred machine having a central ribbon plate or guard.

In order to use the type-cleaning contrivances in the market atpresent,it is necessary, as far as my observation extends, either toremove the ribbon in order to render the type accessible or to clean thetype at the under portion of the machine or when it is lying at or nearthepoint of rest of the type-bar in the basket. In this invention orimprovement my type-cleaning device is applied laterally and centrallyto the ribbon-plate and when applied mechanically pushes back the ribbonto allow the type access to the brush. There is no handling of theribbon, therefore, as the contrivance itself removes the ribbon out ofplace. The cleaning mechanism is hence not located in the basket, as iscommonly the case with type-cleaning devices applicable to the Remingtontype-writer,and the type is cleaned from the base to the topthat is tosay, actually horizontally, but lengthwise of the type.

The nature of the invention is fully described in detail below, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a planview of a sufficient portion of a Remington type-writer with myinvention applied thereto to illustrate the operation of the device.Fig. 2 is an enlarged section and elevation of the cleaning deviceremoved. Fig. 8 is a cross vertical section of enough of thetype-writing machine to illus-.

trate the operation of my invention, which is shown applied thereto.Fig. 4. is an enlarged elevation of the type-cleaning device in positionto be applied to the ribbon-plate, which is shown in cross-section. Fig.5 is an elevation of the type-cleaning device applied to theribbon-plate and in position thereon. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the typecleaning device and the adjacent portions of theribbon-plate, to which it is applied, illustrating the manner in whichthe ribbon is pushed back to afford the type access to the brush. Fig. 7is a side elevation showing a slight modification.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a represents portions of the frame of a Remington type-writing machine.7) represents the basket. 0 is the type-bar shield. cl is theshift-rail. c is the type-bar disk, showing one of the type-bars f, ofwhich 9 is the hanger and g the screw. h is the type-bar rest, is theconnecting-wires, Z the swivels, m the key-levers, and n the keys, (twoonly being shown,') all constructed as usual. S is the ribbon. Arepresents the ribbon plate or guard, constructed as usual in theRemington type-writer and supported at one end by the ordinaryribbon-plate-carrier shaft 19 and at the other end by the track-plate t.The ribbonplate or guard is provided on its under surface, Fig. 6, withthe ordinary ribbon-guides A and reinforcing-plate A. All theabove-named parts, including the ribbonplate A, are constructed as'usualin Remington type-writers of the models named.

My improvement or attachment comprises a frame the central portion orbase B of which is fiat and provided with a large substantiallyrectangular opening B, which corresponds generallyin shape with theordinary central opening T, Fig. 4, in the ribbon-plate -A and is ofsuitable size and width to allow a portion of the periphery of the brushmounted in the frame to extend through it. From this central portion Bparallel sides B are bent up perpendicularly, and mounted in the sidesin any desired manner is a brush which comprises a circular hub O andradial bristles 0, extending therefrom. The preferable construction ofthis brush is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which a hollow hub has itsopening portion. or bottom plate 13 are a pair of parallel ribs orguides H, producing grooves I, whereby the device is slid into thecentral opening in the ribbon-plate, the opposite when the brush is inposition, the said re-'- cesses H and 13" allowing space for the play ofthe spring. P, Fig. 5, is a spring-hook extending centrally forward fromthe end of the central plate B. When it is desired to clean the type,the device is applied to the machine, by slightly swinging up the ribbonplate or guard A, placingitin front of the ordinary central opening T insaid plate, as shown in Fig. 4, and then sliding it into said opening,so that the edges of the opening enter the grooves I. The device is thenpushed into the opening as far as it will go, a rib I Fig. 6, acting asa stop, and the device assumes the position indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 5,and 6, the spring-hook P catching over the rear edge of the ribbon-plateand the spring L bearing against one of the edges of the opening in theplate. As the brush mechanism is slid into position the ex tensions Kunderlap the ribbon S and push it back, as indicated in Fig. 6, until itis entirely outof the Way, and by this means the type is en.- abled tobe lifted into contact with the brush instead of into contact with theribbon by pressingthe corresponding key. By turning the crank E the typeis cleaned as it is swung up by the key, such cleaning being from baseto top of the type. Thus it will be seen that the type is cleanedwithout manually removing the ribbon from the path of the type, saidribbon being pushed back by mechanical means. Moreover, the type is notdown in the basket while it is being cleaned, and it is cleanedlaterally or up and down the type,

.and hence in a direction which will not bend the type-bar and displacethe alinement. The operation is very rapid,the type being pressed up oneafter another by the fingers of one hand while the crank is turned bythe other.

In order to prevent the lifting of the ribbon-plate, I preferably push awedge .U over it and between it and the shifting rail (Z, as shown inFig. 1.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 7 a wire bale V is connectedwith the ribs II and extends at a downward angle therewith, so thatitsforward ends are somewhatlower than the ends of the extensions K. Bythis means the ribbon can be taken up if it should sag below theextensions.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the ribbon plate or guard of a type-writingmachine,a type-cleaning device adapted to slide into position on saidribbon plate; and means for mechanically pushing the ribbon out'of thepath of the type as the type-cleaning device is moved into suchposition. p

2. In combination with theribbon plate or guard of a type-writingmachine, a type-cleaning device adaptedto slide laterally into positionon said ribbon-plate;-an d means makingapartof said type-cleaningdevicewhereby the moving of said device into engagement with the ribbon-plateremoves the ribbon mechanically out of the path of the type.

3. In combination with the ribbon plate or guard of a type-writingmachine, a type-cleaning device comprising a frame and a rotative brush;and means connected with said frame whereby the moving of said deviceinto position on the ribbon-plate removes the ribbon mechanically fromthe path of the type. I 4. A type-cleaning device for type-writingmachines, comprising a frame; a rotative brush mounted on said frame;grooved ways for engagement with the edges of the central opening in theribbon-plate; and means for mechanically pushing the ribbon out of thepath of the type as the device is slid into connection with theribbon-plate.

.5. A type-cleaning device for type-writing machines, comprising aframe; a rotative brush mounted on said frame; grooved Ways forengagement with the edges of the central opening in a ribbon-plate; andextensions projecting forward from the frame, whereby as the device isslid into connection with the ribbon-plate said extensions underlap theribbon and push it out of the path of the type.

6. A type-cleaning device for type-writing machines, comprising a frame;a rotative brush mounted thereon; grooved ways for engagement with theedges of the central open ICO in gin the ribbon-plate projections forunderlapping and pushing forward the ribbonas the device is applied tothe ribbon-plate; and means for locking said device to the ribbonplate.

7. A type-cleaning device for type-writing machines, comprising a frame;a .-rotative brush mounted thereon; the ribs H on the under side of theframe providing grooves I; the hook P extending forward from the frame;the u nderlapping extensions K projecting forward from the ribbon-plate;a spring for preventing side shake of the frame; and a suitable stop,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES A. W'I-IITING.

